Prior to Sferra, Shields was a returning full-time student to FIT, where she graduated in 2002 with a B.S. in Home Products Marketing. In years preceding college, she ran her own jewelry business, Mary Shields Design, and was a partner in another jewelry/giftware firm, Eve Kaplin Design, Inc.

"I was entrusted by Sferra owner Paul Hooker to partner with his creative director, Aaron Stewart, on the corporate re-branding of this venerable 116-year-old luxury linens company," said Shields. "My gratitude to them abounds, as it galvanized my awareness that branding and verbal identity are my strong suit. Branding through the written word at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is an exciting new career opportunity, and I am thrilled to be joining their team."